Akiyoshidai International Art Village has supported cultural and philosophical exchange among international artists through the artists in residence program since its inauguration in 1998. The aim of the Residence Support Program is to support young artists’ experimental artistic activities, crossing the borders of art disciplines and nationalities. The artists will be carefully selected by the Selection Committee of the Residence Program of Akiyoshidai International Art Village. They encourage selected artists will actively communicate with local people in Yamaguchi, participate in different projets, including workshops, lectures, school visits and exhibitions.

Its Artist in residence program invites artists for a time away from their usual environment and obligations to work on their own creative activities. Through open calls, Akiyoshidai International Art Village (AIAV) currently offers:

fully funded long-term program called “Residence Support Program”,

and partly funded short-term program called “Fellowship Program” with which artists are encouraged to apply for outside funding resources.

Akiyoshidai International Art Village, designed by the architect, Arata Isozaki, was founded in 1998 with the aim of providing a platform for artists in residence as well as for a variety of art forms and cultural activities. AIAV’s main hall has a capacity of approximately 300 and its residence hall can house 100, and the village also features a restaurant, seminar room, studios, gallery, and café.

AIAV is located far away from the noise of everyday city life and is surrounded by natural resources. Isozaki himself referred to it as an “archipelago”, (an expanse of water with many scattered islands), and it consists of many different facilities. The term ‘village’ suggests that AIAV is not a one monolithic structure but rather a collective of small neighboring buildings reminiscent of a traditional Japanese village.

Outcome

The artist is requested:

to participate in all pubic programs, e.g. open studio, presentations and talks and to create new work.

to participate in the exchange programs for local community, e.g. talks, lectures and outreach programs.

to provide images and documentations, e.g. pictures and videos, for publicity and archiving in accordance with AIAV’s request.

to take part in educational programs at local schools and universities in English or Japanese.

to present the results of the residence program, e.g. exhibitions, reviews or talks outside Japan within a year after the program.

Accomodation Information

Private room with private bathroom and mini-kitchen. There is a common kitchen at the residence hall, where artists can cook for themselves. Artists are not allowed to be accompanied by anyone for the program. When artists’ family or friends visit AIAV, they can stay with charge of accommodation fee for approximately 3,000 yen per night (prices differ according to room types).

Studio Information

There are various types of studios (shared or private): the allocation of studio is decided by AIAV, artists may have to share with others.

Description of the organisation:
In 2013, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of New Taipei City is working with Freedom Men Art & Design Co., Ltd. and authorizes the management duty to the team. In order to encourage artists in creation, Freedom Men has rendered spaces for artists at an affortable rental price. There are three two-story buildings, “No.4 Studio, No.3 Studio, and No.5 Studio”, avaiable in the art district for artists need spaces to create art. The studio is officially named “435 Artist Studio”.

Description of the residency programme:
Freedom Men Art & Design Co., Ltd. would like to create a new art community in order to carry out the vision of public space reuse and repurposing, therefore, three studios have been opened up for artist-in-receidence program. They consider that artists need a long-term and steady space for art creation.Thus, the project runs as a three-year long receidency program for each application. In the future, Freedom Men Art & Design Co., Ltd. will have various projects in different phases for 435 Artist Studio, hoping that more art will be created in 435 Artist Studio throught the artist reseidency program.

Outcome

Giving a project focused on 435 Artist Studio.

Accomodation Information

There are four types of room at 435 Artist studio:

Three men dorm room without bathroom

Three women dorm room without bathroom

Mixed dorm room without bathroom

Double room without bathroom

Studio Information

435 Artist Studio was a dormitory. With 108 rooms in total, each building has 36 rooms (on the first and second floor). Each room is 5 square meters big, suitable for artists. Around a hundred of artist studios are available for professional artists from varied fields.

Technical Information

There are rehearsal room, piano room, darkroom, exhibition hall, and so on for resident artists to do research, creation as well as presentation. Creators are able to enjoy and utilize the most complete resources and spaces.

Location

PanChiao 435 Art Zone was a dormitory for military training before. After that, the district office was in charge and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of New Taipei City re-arranged this place. With the concept of adaptive reuse of a vacant space, 435 Artist Studio not only gains a new purpose and a new look, but also a touch of the distinctive and diverse Taiwanese culture.

3331 Arts Chiyoda offers a residency program open to artists, curators and creative practitioners internationally. With a full range of facilities including accommodation, studio and gallery, creative practitioners have the opportunity to extend their artistic engagement in the heart of Tokyo. Not only will artists be able to pursue their own individual research and practice, but they will be connected to the extensive network of Tokyo’s art scene through the hub that is 3331. 33331 particularly encourages applications from galleries, museums, universities, arts organizations and funding bodies who are able to recommend and support a number of artists to join this program. They also welcome approaches from artists who are able to secure their own sources of funding. They recommend that artists consider applying in groups of 2-5 in order to reduce the financial responsibility of the individual. Please note that 3331 is unable to offer financial support to artists in residence in this program.

Accomodation Information

Communal Facilities (shared between the artists) – Kitchen, Bathroom, Toilet, DVD player, washing machine, internet. 2 bedrooms with bed and desk, 1 open space – with 1 bed and desk.
Provision can also be made for 2 more persons using futon and sharing space with other occupants.

Studio Information

A 60m2- studio/gallery space in 3331 Arts Chiyoda is available exclusively for the residence artist. The studio rent is included in the residence fee. The studio can be used in various ways to facilitate the artist’s project, such as as an exhibition space or an open studio.

Location

Set in the heart of Tokyo with the electronics and manga hub of Akihabara at its doorstep and the traditional cultures of downtown but a stone’s throw away, 3331 is the perfect place to experience the kaleidoscopic condition of Japan’s capital.

Language

English/Japanese

Founded

2010

Duration

1 to 3 months

Paid by host

Welcome party, PR,volunteer, photo and workshop support and event translation.

3331 does not provide grants or scholarships. All artists must be able to find their own sources of funding to cover the costs of the residence facilities as well as their travel, living and production costs.

Application guidelines

Please be aware that only applicants (individuals or organizations) who are able to cover the costs of the residence facilities as well as artist travel and living expenses are eligible for application.

For those wishing to use the facilities between April 2014 and March 2015, please apply by Friday, February 28, 2014.

How to apply: Please download the application form here and send it by email to residence@3331.jp with other required materials by the application deadline. Please do not send emails larger than 5mb. Required materials are:

COPYRIGHT

Despite numerous efforts at the European level, copyright in Europe has not been fully harmonized. When working abroad within the European Union (and even more so in countries outside the EU), artists are usually confronted with different legal situations than in their home countries. In addition to the agreements and policies that have been created at the European level that shape the national legal norms in Europe, there are a number of international agreements, the so-called Revised Bern Convention, the Universal Copyright Convention, and, in the context of the WTO/GATS, the so-called TRIPS Agreement.

However, EU harmonization has taken place in some areas of copyright. The resale right, which is so important for the visual arts, for example, has been harmonized by a directive, which grants certain countries transition periods for implementation. This concerns, for example, the UK, an important marketplace for auctions.

Example 2:
A Brazilian theater that has seen a German theater play during a festival wants to adapt and translate the text of the play for performance in Brazil. The author is not represented by a publishing company or a collecting society. (see administration of rights without collecting societies)

INSURANCES

Insurance issues are of great importance for international visual and performing artists. Almost all insurances are voluntary (with a few exceptions, such as automobile insurance and statutory health insurance for employees) and the self-employed are faced with different insurance issues than traditional employees – for example, the need for professional liability insurance. Often, artists are only confronted with these issues in case of problems or if the foreign partner demands proof of insurance.

Example 1:
A dance troupe from Germany is invited to France for guest performances on four evenings. The French organizer requests proof of a particular engineering insurance for these performances, as well as organizer’s liability insurance with a coverage of €300,000, which the troupe does not have. What are the options? (see organizer’s liability insurance)

Artists and organizers have to decide what risks they can and want to obtain coverage for. Job-related insurance includes professional liability insurance, organizer’s liability insurance, and possibly insurance plans that protect against damages that arise especially as a result of transport. Non-professional health insurances, accident insurances, and disability insurances, as well as liability insurances are personal insurances but no less important.

These insurances are sometimes valid Europe-wide or even worldwide. The geographical scope of the insurance must be adapted to the risk. This means that insurance policies need to be adjusted accordingly in the event of international activities. If an insurance policy has already been taken out, it should be reviewed and possibly expanded for worldwide coverage together with a broker or insurance agent.

The large number of insurance provider makes it difficult to navigate the wide range of insurance products and to find the most efficient coverage for one’s needs. Generally applicable recommendations are hardly possible. It is therefore advisable to contact an independent broker specialized in insurance for the cultural sector. Consultations are free.

INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Social legislation is largely subject to national laws: Although health insurances, pension schemes, and unemployment insurances are not standardized within the EU, they are coordinated by EU regulations.
In countries outside the EU, varying regulations apply or social security systems exist only in certain areas or not at all. Germany has concluded social security agreements with a number of countries that also govern coverage of internationally active artists.

Example 1:
A German freelance dancer visits the Czech Republic for several months to work there. Does he/she remain insured in Germany? Does Europe have a unified social security system? (s. social security in Europe)

Example 2:
A freelance video artist insured in Germany visits Indonesia for one year to produce documentaries and film shots for an Indonesia-based festival organizer. He/She receives a service contract. Does his/her compulsory coverage from the Artists’ Social Security Fund remain in force? (s. social security beyond the EU)